Parsippany Woman Is Turning The Tables On Lupus

PARSIPPANY, NJ—When Lisa Klink of Lake Hiawatha was diagnosed with lupus in August, it was surprising. But the middle school special education teacher said she was certainly not defeated, even if her symptoms can be severe at times.

"It is very uncomfortable," Klink said. "The the symptoms range, for me, anywhere from a burning pain sensation in the muscles and joints to rashes, brain fog, and fatigue."

According to the Northeast chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America (NLFA), lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body, including joints and organs. Lupus occurs when the body's immune system attacks health tissue.

The disease can strike without warning and effects everyone differently. Symptoms, including those Klink experienced, can consist of fever, hair loss, chest pain, and dry eyes, and can range from mild to fatal.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose, because its signs often mimic those of other ailments, according to the Mayo Clinic. That's what happened to Klink, who experienced symptoms for 10 months before her diagnosis.

"It took eight specialists to finally figure this out," Klink said. "It was a tough road. The only reason I did get an answer is because I was advocating for myself."

According to the Mayo Clinic, people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that triggers the disease. Klink said she raised the possibility with doctors because her grandfather died from lupus.

"My grandfather never knew he had lupus," said Klink, "he died and they didn't find out until they did an autopsy."

Treatment for the disease, for which there is no cure, is dependent on the patient's symptoms, Klink said. This can include anti-inflammatory medication and anti-malarial medication Plaquenil, also known as hydroxychloroquine, a medicine recently mentioned by President Trump in relation to coronavirus.

After she received the news that she had lupus, Klink immediately went into action and decided to become an advocate to fight the elusive disease. That doesn't mean, however, that she didn't need help.

"I knew I needed some some mental support from an organization that understood lupus," Klink said. So she got in touch with the NLFA.

That's when Klink met Jessica Orr, the NLFA Development Coordinator. Klink said Orr has been vital to her efforts, even putting Klink in touch with a support person who also has lupus.

"I'm inspired every day working with this community," Orr said. "They are strong, loyal to each other, they're just a group of people that you want to be around."

Orr said the NLFA exists to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through research, education, advocacy, and raising funds. The organization's yearly "Walk to End Lupus Now" is typically held in May, but has been changed to Oct. 10—with a twist.

"It's a virtual walk this year," Orr explained. "It's from coast-to-coast, it's a 5K, and we're excited because we can get people across the country to participate all together now. It's opened a nice avenue for us."

Klink said she plans to walk with a group of local supporters and friends, including her husband, Steven, and dog, Thor.

"We're going to be walking within our neighborhood because we have the social distance," she said. "But you you can pick any area you want, you can even drive somewhere and do the walk."

Her lupus diagnosis was difficult, and Klink acknowledged that dealing with the disease creates challenges. But she added that she's focused on the future, and that includes not just staying healthy herself, but helping others.

"I'm sad," Klink said, "but at the same time, I'm extremely motivated by this community of people out there that are so strong. My goal right now is to take my diagnosis and share the story with all those around me, because so many people might be struggling with this and not know it."